VIEW FROM THE KITCHEN WINDOW

The weather has been unrelentingly bad.............cold, wet and miserable. In a brief spell of morning sun our garden comes to life. Notting Hill is full of trees and gardens and a haven for birds, squirrels and the urban fox. We have two robins who visit daily, sparrows, jays, magpies, wood pigeons  and London pigeons, wrens and the occasional exotic parakeet.

The glorious yellow wattle tree is coming into flower, a little of my Australian heritage here in London

and the white Hellebores have survived the winter and are coming into flower

FRENCH ANTIQUES & HAM

Only in France can you have an antiques faire called, Foire à la brocante et aux jambons  or in English, roughly speaking, 'Fair with antiques and ham' On the outskirts of Paris this is a fun place to go and search for something that you can't resist. You can also buy some excellent ham. The fair, for charcuterie and pork was established in the middle ages. It wasn't until the end of the 19th century that the beginnings of the antiques  started and then became the more important part of the 10 day fair. Visit the stand of my friend France Lasserre with her dyed blue antique linens, a speciality, they sell out very quickly....

The fair runs from 15th - 24th March from 10am - 7pm

Ile des Impressionnistes 10 minutes from the Champs-Elysées

Direct  access from Paris to Chatou by RER Express line A1

Get out at Rueil-Malmaison or Chatou-Croissy Station

GPS (bridge of Chatou) coordinates DD

(latitude X longitude) 48.8885305 X 2.1611207

DECORATING WITH TABLE LAMPS OLD AND NEW

Such an important part of decorating a room is how you light it. The soft pools of light that you get from strategically placed lamps can give so much atmosphere to a room. 19th century oil lamps now converted for electricity are a great way to use antique lighting adapted for modern living.



This pair of lamps are seen here in front of a pair of 18th century prints and placed on a Louis XVI commode.



This early 19th century French tole and gilt bronze lamp is seen on an English early 19th century sideboard.



Another early 19th century French tole and gilt bronze lamp is seen on a French Empire  console.



This Baroque 19th century silver plated table lamp gives a romantic feel to this setting with an 18th century Aubusson tapestry hanging on the wall behind.


Here the contemporary brass Chepstow table lamp is placed on an Empire period French Console Table. The simplicity of line of both the lamp and the console sit well together.



The Hillsleigh table lamp,  seen here in polished brass makes a good bedside lamp and is available in
a variety of finishes.



Here the Ledbury table lamp available in nickel and bronze  adds a deco look.



The Horbury table lamp is available in a variety of finishes, here it is seen in gilt lacquer.



Two pairs of French 19th century silver plated candle sticks are here converted into small table lamps





This cast brass contemporary table lamp is after a design by Palmer

The Horbury table lamps used in the corner of a dining room

The Horbury table lamp is used again in the same house with a large nickel lantern from Charles Edwards hanging above the dining table

The corner of a small study with a Ledbury table lamp

All lighting available from   JULIA BOSTON ANTIQUES

A BREAK FROM ANTIQUES IN THE COUNTRY

The days are beginning to lengthen and the first signs of spring are appearing. After the cold and wet of the last two months this is a welcome change.